Application procedure and admissions

All applications must be completed through the University's on-line application system. 

Frequently asked questions about applying to our Graduate Program can be found on our FAQ page.

Below you will find six questions pertaining to the Supplemental Information section of the Online System. Once you submit your Supplemental Information, you will not be able to change or correct it.

Question 1

This question is optional for MMath applicants and required for PhD applicants. If MMath applicants do not wish to answer Question 1, please indicate 'n/a' or 'not applicable' in that space.

PhD applicants

Please write a one-page Statement of Interest describing your scholarly and professional interests and goals. In particular, discuss your research interests and your motivation for choosing the University of Waterloo as a place to continue your studies.

MMath applicants (optional)

You may include up to a one-page Statement of Interest. This could include a discussion of your scholarly and professional interests and goals, or any other information about yourself that you feel would be helpful for the admissions committee to know.

Question 2

List your senior undergraduate and graduate mathematics courses. Describe their contents or give the name of the textbook used.

a) Algebra and logic course(s)

b) Analysis courses(s):

c) Geometry, topology and number theory course(s)

d) Other math course(s):

Question 3

Describe your previous teaching/teaching assistantship experience, if any.

Question 4

Have you had work experience in areas connected with your proposed field of study?

Question 5

List any publications for which you are the author/co-author (research papers, theses, technical reports, etc.).

Question 6

If you are not currently enrolled in an educational institution, please describe your professional activities since leaving school.

Application information

Please apply on-line.

Successful applicants for the September term can expect to receive our offer of admission as early as late February.

Application deadline for all applicants is January 15.

Recommendations for admission are made by the Department of Pure Mathematics Graduate Committee with final approval by the University of Waterloo's Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Financial support is considered as part of the decision.

Generally, an ''Offer of Admission'' is conditional upon the completion of the applicant's current degree program. In such a case, final admission will not be granted until

• a final official transcript and/or

• a final official degree certificate

has been received. It is important that accepted applicants submit these documents as soon as possible.

Note: The Department of Pure Mathematics requires a score on TOEFL (or equivalent) of:

- at least 580 Paper-based, or

- at least 237 Computer-based or,

- at least 90 Internet-based:

        speaking - not less than 25;

        writing - not less than 25, and

4.0 on TWE.

GRE is not required.

Students intending to come to Canada on student visas should note that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only issue such visas after an "Offer of Admission" letter, supplied online by the University of Waterloo Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, has been presented. Students should check their Quest account for their "Offer of Admission" letter and print it off once it appears.

You can begin your Study permit application process (medical exam, application etc.) prior to learning the final results of your application. 

Do Not Leave For Canada until you have:

1. been admitted to the University of Waterloo, and an "Offer of Admission" letter appears in your University of Waterloo Quest account,

2. written assurance as to the financial support which you are to receive (should be contained in your "Offer of Admission" letter),

3. been issued a Study Permit by Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Immigration authorities will insist on seeing the above documentation.